With 15 competitive proposals submitted, this year’s results highlight the Faculty’s growing strength in translational research and its commitment to collaboration across disciplines. Each selected project will receive $50,000, with funding shared equally between the partnering basic science and clinical departments or divisions
This year’s awards bring together researchers from the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology and the Clinical Departments of Surgery and Medicine —reflecting the powerful partnerships driving innovation from the lab to the clinic.
From the Lab to the Operating Room: Reducing Neurological Injuries from Pediatric Brain Tumor Surgery
Shawn Beug (BMI/CHEO RI) and Albert Tu (Department of Surgery/CHEO RI)
Brain surgery in children, while often lifesaving, carries a risk of additional neurological injury caused by inflammation. In this cross-disciplinary collaboration, researchers are investigating whether azithromycin—a commonly prescribed antibiotic known to reduce inflammation—can protect the brain during tumor surgery.
Using a mouse model of brain injury, the team will study how azithromycin modulates the immune response to reduce inflammation and improve recovery. Insights from this work will inform a pilot clinical trial, setting the stage for safer surgical practices and improved outcomes for young patients.
Uncovering the Hidden Effects of E-Cigarettes: Understanding the Biological Impact from Bench to Bedside
Erin Mulvihill (BMI/UOHI) and Hassan Mir (Division of Cardiology/Department of Medicine/UOHI)
Although e-cigarettes are often marketed as safer alternatives to tobacco, their long-term effects on health remain uncertain. This collaborative project unites preclinical and clinical expertise to examine how chronic e-cigarette exposure affects inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue function.
Animal studies will guide the identification of key biomarkers, which will then be tested in participants enrolled in ongoing vaping cessation trials. By linking molecular findings with human data, the researchers aim to clarify the biological consequences of vaping and inform future public health and prevention strategies.
Pushing the Boundaries of Collaboration
The Translational Research Grant was established to strengthen partnerships between basic and clinical scientists, drive bench-to-bedside innovation, and seed high-risk, high-reward ideas with the potential to transform care.
This year’s funded projects embody that vision—demonstrating how cross-disciplinary collaboration can spark the kind of discoveries that ultimately change lives.